Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center - PAWSitive Change

PAWSitive Change is a community collaboration with special education centers that seeks to remove the complexities of making progress with mentally and physically handicapped children. PAWSitive Change pet therapy teams meet with teachers and education specialists to review classroom curriculums and foster ideas that strengthen core competencies around studentsâ€™ individual physical and mental milestones and classroom goals. Certified dogs help engage students in walking, motor function, singing, counting and identifying letters, shapes and colors.

What is it?

PAWSitive Change is a community collaboration with special education centers that seeks to remove the complexities of making progress with mentally and physically handicapped children. PAWSitive Change pet therapy teams meet with teachers and education specialists to review classroom curriculums and foster ideas that strengthen core competencies around students’ individual physical and mental milestones and classroom goals. Certified dogs help engage students in walking, motor function, singing, counting and identifying letters, shapes and colors.

Who is it for?

Special education centers seeking to motivate students to go beyond their predetermined societal physical and mental limitations

Why do they do it?

The goal is to transform how we engage mentally and physically disadvantaged youth and enhance the outlook of children capable of exceeding expectations.

Impact

Students who have gone through the program have benefited positively and have shown unexpected advancement in mood/behavior as well as physical, verbal and/or social skills.

Contact: Avi Zaraya
Managing Director, Support Services
Telephone: 818-719-4143
Email: avi.e.zaraya@kp.org

Community Partnerships

Community Connections